How Clean Is Himachal’s Politics?

By: Oct 21st, 2017 12:28 am

19% legislators in Himachal Pradesh had criminal cases against them as per report of Association for Democratic Reforms

Himachal This Week, Shimla

How clean is the politics in Himachal could be gauged from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Election watch report. According to its report there were cases pending against 19% of legislators of Himachal Pradesh. This report has been prepared as per affidavits filed by these legislators in 2012. The data of Himachal’s legislators contesting Vidhan Sabha elections this time will be released on October 30. The state president of Gyan Vigyan Samiti Dr. Om Prakash Bhureta shared this report with the media. Gyan Vigyan Samiti is associate organisation of election watch. The report mentions that many legislators out of a total of 68 had cases pending against them. Out of it six percent, means four legislators, had serious criminal cases pending against them.

The analysis of this report further reveals that 10 out of total 36 legislators (i.e. 28%) of Congress, two out of 27 legislators (i.e. seven percent) of BJP and one out of a total of four independent legislators (i.e. 25%) had criminal cases pending against them. The report further discloses that 45 legislators out of a total of 68 (i.e. 66%) had property worth in crores. The Congress had maximum 75% (i.e. 27) crorepati legislators, BJP 52% (i.e. 14)  crorepati legislators, Himachal Lokhit Party (later merged with BJP) had one (i.e. 100%) legislator and 75% (i.e. three) independent legislature corepatis.

How Qualified Are Public Representatives?

Eight out of a total of 68 legislators representing Himachal were only 10th passed. Four had passed 12th class, 21 passed graduation and 17 were post graduates. Only one legislature had doctorate degree.

Only Four Percent Women Representation

Women empowerment is the hottest topic of debate in the country. But when it comes to empowering women to the level of Vidhan Sabha, there is not much to be proud of. There were only three MLAs in Vidhan Sabha while rest of the 65 constituencies were represented by men. It means the percentage of women representation in Vidhan Sabha was only four percent in in this hilly state while rest 96% had dominance of men.

Tainted Politicians

Party               Total MLAs     No. of MLAs with Cases Pending Against Them       Percentage              

Congress          36                                                        10                                            28%

BJP                  27                                                        02                                            7%

Independent     4                                                          01                                            25%

Richest Legislators

Richest Legislators B.B.L. Butail from Palampur topped the list of richest legislators with total property worth Rs. 169 crore  followed by Balbir Sharma from Chopal with Rs 41 crore property. Ram Kumar from Doon constituency stood at third position with total property worth Rs. 36 crore while Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh stood at fourth position with total property worth Rs. 34 crore. Anil Kumar from Mandi Sadar constituency stood at fifth position in the list of richest legislators of Himachal Pradesh. His total property was worth Rs. 29 crore.

MLA                            Constituency     Total Property (in crores)

BBL Butail                   Palampur                      169

Balbir Sharma               Chopal                         41

Ram Kumar                  Doon                            36

Virbhadra Singh            Shimla Rural                 34

Anil Kumar                   Mandi Sadar                29

Highest Annual Income

According to Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reports and income return filed by the legislators for 2011-12, G.S. Bali and Balbir Sharma were the only two MLAs with annual income of more than one crore rupees. MLA from Kangra constituency Pawan Kajal stood at third position with annual income of Rs. 45.93 lakh. Ravi Kumar from Lahaul & Spiti stood at fourth position with annual income of Rs. 29.63 lakh and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh stood at fifth position with annual income of Rs. 18.66 lakh. This annual income included the income of legislator, his wife or husband and dependents also.

Lowest Property

It is not that all the legislators of Himachal Pradesh are super rich. Some belonged to humble background too. It includeed Yadvinder Goma from Jaisinghpur who had a total property of worth five lakh rupees. Hans Raj from Churah and Vikram from Bhatiyat segments had property worth seven lakh rupees each. Vinod Kumar from Nachan had total property worth Rs 16 lakh while property of Jagjivan Pal from Sulah constituency was worth Rs. 26 lakh.


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